Insulation securement system and associated methods

Abstract

Systems and methods for insulating vessels are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the disclosure provides a vessel insulation system (e.g., for use with a reactor or pressure vessel), which includes a floating ring sized to circumscribe a top nozzle of a vessel; a plurality of straps connected to the floating ring, the plurality of straps extending downward from the floating ring and being positioned to run along a length of the outer shell of the vessel; and a plurality of segmented rings positioned to circumscribe the outer shell of the vessel and connected to the plurality of straps. The plurality of segmented rings is configured to support an insulation material circumscribing the outer shell of the vessel, which can provide effective securement of the insulation material around the outer shell without welding components on the vessel to secure the insulation material.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A vessel insulation system, the system comprising:
 a floating ring sized to circumscribe a top nozzle of a vessel; 
 a plurality of straps connected to the floating ring, the plurality of straps extending downward from the floating ring and positioned to run along a length of the outer shell of the vessel; and 
 a plurality of segmented rings connected to the plurality of straps and positioned to circumscribe the outer shell of the vessel, each of the plurality of segmented rings having a ledge configured to vertically support an insulation material when circumscribing the outer shell of the vessel. 
 
     
     
       2. The vessel insulation system of  claim 1 , wherein the floating ring, the plurality of straps, and the plurality of segmented rings each independently comprises a material selected from the group consisting of metals, metal alloys, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
       3. The vessel insulation system of  claim 1 , wherein the floating ring, the plurality of straps, and the plurality of segmented rings each comprises a stainless steel material. 
     
     
       4. The vessel insulation system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of straps is positioned substantially perpendicular to the ledge of the plurality of segmented rings. 
     
     
       5. The vessel insulation system of  claim 1 , wherein the floating ring, the plurality of straps, and the plurality of segmented rings have not been welded to the outer shell of the vessel. 
     
     
       6. The vessel insulation system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of segmented rings is supported by the plurality of straps. 
     
     
       7. An insulated vessel comprising:
 a vessel; 
 a vessel insulation system comprising:
 a floating ring sized to circumscribe a top nozzle of the vessel, 
 a plurality of straps connected to the floating ring, the plurality of straps extending from the floating ring and positioned to run along a length of the outer shell of the vessel, and 
 a plurality of segmented rings connected to the plurality of straps and positioned to circumscribe the outer shell of the vessel, each of the plurality of segmented rings having a ledge circumscribing the outer shell of the vessel; and 
 
 an insulation material comprising a plurality of insulation segments, each insulation segment individually and vertically supported by the ledge of a corresponding segment of the plurality of segmented rings. 
 
     
     
       8. The insulated vessel of  claim 7 , wherein each insulation segment is configured to be individually removable or replaceable, without disturbing any remaining insulation segments when being removed or replaced. 
     
     
       9. The insulated vessel of  claim 7 , wherein the insulation material comprises a first layer of insulation, a second layer of insulation, and an outer jacket surrounding the first and second layers of insulation. 
     
     
       10. The insulated vessel of  claim 9 , wherein the outer jacket comprises a corrugated metal jacketing material and a plurality of springs. 
     
     
       11. The insulated vessel of  claim 7 , further comprising a skirt portion positioned proximate a base portion of the vessel. 
     
     
       12. The insulated vessel of  claim 11 , wherein the skirt portion comprises a plurality of springs connected to the plurality of straps, and wherein the plurality of springs is configured to allow for vertical expansion of the vessel insulation system during operation. 
     
     
       13. A vessel insulation system comprising:
 a floating ring sized to circumscribe a top nozzle of a vessel; 
 a plurality of straps connected to the floating ring, the plurality of straps extending from the floating ring and positioned to run along a length of an outer shell of the vessel; and 
 a plurality of segmented rings connected to the plurality of straps and positioned to circumscribe the outer shell of the vessel, each of the plurality of segmented rings having a vertically facing support surface to vertically support a weight of a segment of insulation material when positioned thereon and along the outer shell. 
 
     
     
       14. The vessel insulation system of  claim 13 , wherein the vertically facing support surface extends outward from the outer shell of the vessel. 
     
     
       15. The vessel insulation system of  claim 14 , wherein the vertically facing support surface of each of the plurality of segmented rings is positioned substantially perpendicular to the plurality of straps. 
     
     
       16. The vessel insulation system of  claim 14 , wherein the vertically facing support surface of each of the plurality of segmented rings further is positioned to extend radially outward from the outer shell relative to a longitudinal axis of the vessel. 
     
     
       17. The vessel insulation system of  claim 13 , wherein each of the plurality of segmented rings is fastened to one or more of the plurality of straps via one or more curved plates. 
     
     
       18. The vessel insulation system of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of segmented rings is suspended by the plurality of straps.